'So far as I can see, Mademoiselle--Madame, I mean--you don't stand very much in need of remedies. Your ear and head don't seem to trouble you just now. I fancy these pains may now be dismissed.' Lady Knollys was now speaking French. 'Mi ladi has diverted my attention for a moment, but that does not prevent that I suffer frightfully. I am, of course, only poor governess, and such people perhaps ought not to have pain--at least to show when they suffer. It is permitted us to die, but not to be sick.' 'Come, Maud, my dear, let us leave the invalid to her repose and to nature. I don't think she needs my chloroform and opium at present.' 'Mi ladi is herself a physic which chases many things, and powerfully affects the ear. I would wish to sleep, notwithstanding, and can but gain that in silence, if it pleases mi ladi.' 'Come, my dear,' said Lady Knollys, without again glancing at the scowling, smiling, swarthy face in the bed; 'let us leave your instructress to her _concforto_.' 'The room smells all over of brandy, my dear--does she drink?' said Lady Knollys, as she closed the door, a little sharply. I am sure I looked as much amazed as I felt, at an imputation which then seemed to me so entirely incredible. 'Good little simpleton!' said Cousin Monica, smiling in my face, and bestowing a little kiss on my cheek; 'such a thing as a tipsy lady has never been dreamt of in your philosophy. Well, we live and learn. Let us have our tea in my room--the gentlemen, I dare say, have retired.' I assented, of course, and we had tea very cosily by her bedroom fire. 'How long have you had that woman?' she asked suddenly, after, for her, a very long rumination. 'She came in the beginning of February--nearly ten months ago--is not it?' 'And who sent her?' 'I really don't know; papa tells me so little--he arranged it all himself, I think.' Cousin Monica made a sound of acquiescence--her lips closed and a nod, frowning hard at the bars. 'It _is_ very odd!' she said; 'how people _can_ be such fools!' Here there came a little pause. 'And what sort of person is she--do you like her?' 'Very well--that is, _pretty_ well. You won't tell?--but she rather frightens me. I'm sure she does not intend it, but somehow I am very much afraid of her.' 'She does not beat you?' said Cousin Monica, with an incipient frenzy in her face that made me love her. 'Oh no!' 'Nor ill-use you in any way?' 'No.' 'Upon your honour and word, Maud?' 'No, upon my honour.' 'You know I won't tell her anything you say to me; and I only want to know, that I may put an end to it, my poor little cousin.' 'Thank you, Cousin Monica very much; but really and truly she does not ill-use me.' 'Nor threaten you, child?' 'Well, _no_--no, she does not threaten.' 'And how the plague _does_ she frighten you, child?'